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Picked up an SMLE, looking for expert advice about whether or not this is a DP rifle
Picked up this SMLE last week. I was told by the previous owner that it was a British Homeguard rifle which is why it has the red paint stripes on it. All numbers match on the gun except for the nose cap.
My confusion is the large amount of DP stamps I have found on the rifle. These DP stamps are only located on the wood furniture, and on the nose cap. There are no DP stampings anywhere else on the actual rifle itself.
I’m looking for insight as to whether this rifle is not actually a Drill Purpose rifle, but simply had DP furniture added when it was reissued to the Homeguard?
The previous owner told me he fired many rounds through it quite often with no issue. The bolt matches the receiver, everything locks up tight, and the bore is nice and shiny.
Images below
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---------- Post added at 08:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 PM ----------
Here are some additional photos of stampings on the receiver
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Last edited by FaeAnubis; 03-12-2020 at 10:16 PM.
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03-12-2020 09:41 PM
# ADS
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I suspect it was a cut down sporter that was restored with Indian Drill purpose woodwork and nosecap. Complete restoration kits can be purchased which appear to have been created from breaking down complete DP rifles. DP rifles are normally marked on the breech and Nocks form. Red Paint on rifles in British service was to denote it was a Lend lease US arm chambered in 30.06 caliber. M17, 1903 Springfield, and M1 Rifle.
Last edited by Roy; 03-12-2020 at 10:24 PM.
Keep Calm
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Fix Bayonets
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Thank You to Roy For This Useful Post:
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Legacy Member
Roy,
Thank you for taking your time to provide the feedback! As a newbie who has been googling DP markings for the last 3 hours I definitely find it suspicious that there are no actual DP markings on any metal parts on the rifle. I imagine it is probably best to have a gunsmith check this over first before I fire it.
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Legacy Member
Not a problem, we were all newbies once. One thing to check are the 'draws' this is where a considerable amount of recoil is taken on the woodwork and if the forend is not tight up into the draws the forend will eventually crack. If you are into DIY, get on youtube (and this wonderful forum) and learn about the disassembly, care and maintenance of the SMLE. Just be careful, one .303 is never enough.
Keep Calm
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Fix Bayonets
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Legacy Member
I agree, it looks like Indian DP wood on a decent rifle. I notice the sight protector appears to be back to front.
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Legacy Member
as roy said one is never enough they are fun to run on cast give the old girl a pull down and clean up check it over for any cracks in the wood and wear on the metal parts
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Legacy Member
The Red-Stripes would reinforce the thinking that it is using 'old' Indian DP woodwork.
Indian DP rifles were marked with Red bands (for those who 'had difficulty seeing' the DP markings).
"I was told by the previous owner that it was a British Homeguard rifle which is why it has the red paint stripes on it".
Never believe the 'story' buy the rifle.
Your seller had probably done a bit if internet research and got confused with the fact that rifles in calibre 30-06 (the M1917 - the "American Enfield" for example) had a Red band as a warning not to use 303 ammunition.
Probably not realising that where it is marked on the Butt socket "Enfield 1917" that is the manufacturing facility and the date of manufacture.
With Enfield's it is vitally important to use the correct nomenclature, as a very small difference in 'numbering' can mean a huge difference in model.
One regularly 'mis-typed' is "No1 Mk3" and "No3 Mk1"
Last edited by Alan de Enfield; 03-13-2020 at 04:52 AM.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
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Originally Posted by
Alan de Enfield
The Red-Stripes would reinforce the thinking that it is using 'old' Indian DP woodwork.
Indian DP rifles were marked with Red bands (for those who 'had difficulty seeing' the DP markings).
"I was told by the previous owner that it was a
British Homeguard rifle which is why it has the red paint stripes on it".
Never believe the 'story' buy the rifle.
Your seller had probably done a bit if internet research and got confused with the fact that rifles in calibre 30-06 (the M1917 - the "American Enfield" for example) had a Red band as a warning not to use 303 ammunition.
Probably not realising that where it is marked on the Butt socket "Enfield 1917" that is the manufacturing facility and the date of manufacture.
With Enfield's it is vitally important to use the correct nomenclature, as a very small difference in 'numbering' can mean a huge difference in model.
One regularly 'mis-typed' is "No1 Mk3" and "No3 Mk1"
So I would like to restore this rifle to its former glory, but I am having trouble sourcing the period correct furniture. I see that Liberty Tree sells some stock sets, however I do not want to get a bunch of mismatched wood for basically $200. Do you know of any places I can track down SMLE stock sets?
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Advisory Panel
You should eliminate a double thread on this subject. It's frustrating to those of us trying to help when you forge ahead after getting our best advise not to do more... Like the other thread suggests....
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Legacy Member
You should eliminate a double thread on this subject. It's frustrating to those of us trying to help when you forge ahead after getting our best advise not to do more... Like the other thread suggests....
Hey Jim,
Im a bit new to the forum, how do I delete double post? I was not aware that I double posted.
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